Publications: Notes at the Margin

Vladimir, Be Careful What You Wish For (January 9, 2017)

Russia’s meddling in the recent US election has dominated news cycles across the globe for two weeks. It is almost certain that Russia intervened in the election to defeat Hillary Clinton. It is not clear, though, that the effort had much effect given her victory in the popular vote. Still, the Russian interference recalls an old idiom: "Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true." An alternative version of this might be "Be careful what you wish for. If you get the things you desire, there may be unforeseen and unpleasant consequences." In this case, Russia wished for a Republican victory. Russia got its wish. The "unforeseen and unpleasant consequence" may be Russia’s economic destruction.